My parents need to get a new laptop. Their current laptop is 5 years old and running XP. Would a Chromebook be better? My Dad has straight up killed some of his past computers because of malware and shit like that. They're in their 60s and really only need to edit documents, check e-mail, browse the web and possibly skype later on. My Mom says that she'll need to use Publisher....but I'm not to sure about that one.

Would a Chromebook be a better purchase?

If they're actually locked into Microsoft Office (and Publisher more specifically), a Chromebook won't do it. Chromebooks are great for what they are, but you're obviously locked into cloud-based software, so primarily Google Docs and that kind of thing. If they only need basic spreadsheets and word processing, that's a great way to go (and you're right that a Chromebook is less prone to malware since everything's online). But if they really need full-blown Office, you're pretty much stuck with a Windows/Mac computer.

That said, you can get a great laptop these days for under $500 without a problem. And, though I won't at all go so far as to say malware isn't an issue, they've put a lot of safeguards in place since Windows XP that make it at least a little more difficult to get into something nasty.

FWIW, I traded in a POS EEE PC with XP in at Best Buy to get a $25 gift card and a $75 coupon good towards a new laptop of any kind. Got a new Chromebook for $110 after taxes that I'm picking up tomorrow.

For anyone interested in a Chromebook, try using Chrome and only Chrome on your computer for a day or two. If you can accomplish what you need to, it makes a great secondary machine. BTW, Best Buy XP Trade in deal ends this Saturday.

It's not being pissy....it's simply stating that they don't need all of that stuff. It's like asking someone about a $4000 vehicle and them telling you that you should buy a brand new BMW.

She'd LIKE the ability to use Publisher later on. Doesn't have to be now...

Fair enough. Another idea (although also Apple based though) would be to just get them an iPad. My mom has a laptop and and iPad and never uses the laptop. She loves the iPad and it's pretty hard to mess up. Make sure they've got their documents and things stored in iCloud and there you go.

It's more comparable to a Chromebook because if you are considering going with a Chromebook, you're looking at going with an alternative to a traditional computer anyway.

"I'd love to help you but I don't have a Windows machine in front of me so I can't walk you through it. Sorry."

Yeah, those years Mom and Dad had their Mac and didn't know I had one, I claimed the same thing in reverse.

Don't get me wrong, it was nice in a lot of ways, had a great screen, and the touchpad/gesturing was awesome! But it was way too pricey for me to consider buying (it was a work deal), and the support kind of pissed me off. We're getting a new round at work, I might ask for one and see if anything has changed.

Yeah, those years Mom and Dad had their Mac and didn't know I had one, I claimed the same thing in reverse.

Don't get me wrong, it was nice in a lot of ways, had a great screen, and the touchpad/gesturing was awesome! But it was way too pricey for me to consider buying (it was a work deal), and the support kind of pissed me off. We're getting a new round at work, I might ask for one and see if anything has changed.

But if you've got the coin, go for it..

Like I said, I bought mine lightly used for $800. It retailed for more than twice that.

It's rock solid stable and does everything I need it to do. I especially love it for testing software. If I don't like something, I drag the app container and a few pref files to the trash and it's done. No registry, no residue, no hassle.

Like I said, I bought mine lightly used for $800. It retailed for more than twice that.

It's rock solid stable and does everything I need it to do. I especially love it for testing software. If I don't like something, I drag the app container and a few pref files to the trash and it's done. No registry, no residue, no hassle.

If they find a deal like that, that'd be awesome... I'll let work buy mine.